WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Ceaseless
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Northern Grand Duke’s Mad Son-in-Law ◈
Chapter 86: Date
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“It won’t be easy to find mages.”
Adrianna spoke in her usual flat voice.
Galahad gave a small nod.
“That’s true. Because of the Empire’s sanctions against the North, regular Magic Towers won’t come.”
“Then how do you plan to find them?”
“Do you know how many mages belong to a Magic Tower?”
“No.”
“I like that confidence. Not even one in ten mages belongs to a Magic Tower.”
“I understand that magic instruction outside the Academy has been banned.”
“Oh, you know that too?”
“I’m not Sir Gilbert.”
Galahad chuckled at Adrianna’s serious reply.
“That’s right, it was banned. But do you think the kind of people who ignore the law will stop just because it’s banned?”
Adrianna frowned for a moment.
“Are you planning to call in mages who do not belong to Magic Towers?”
“There’s no need to call them.”
“Pardon?”
Adrianna’s brows twitched slightly. Galahad smiled.
“There are already plenty in the North.”
“...There are many in the North?”
“Haven’t there been constant incidents lately? Most of them were probably caused by mages with more greed than sense.”
“Ah.”
Adrianna let out a soft sigh.
“Now that you mention it, it was strange. Monsters and Demonkin have always appeared frequently, but there used to be few mages or drifters. Recently, their numbers have increased far too much. Do you know why?”
Galahad casually looked away from Adrianna’s serious question.
“Ahem. Isn’t it because rumors about Magic Stones have spread?”
“They’ve increased exponentially. Almost as if someone forced them in here...”
“Who forced anyone in? They all had their reasons. Anyway, what matters is that workers are scattered all over the North.”
Adrianna tilted her head, then nodded.
“I see. Then how will you find them?”
Galahad lightly tapped ash from his cigarette. A lemon scent drifted through the air. Adrianna swallowed.
“Why find them? We just need to gather them.”
“Gather them?”
“Hmm, this should be suitable. What building is this?”
Galahad looked behind him as he spoke. The staff officers, who had been following at a distance, hurried over.
“It is a warehouse and supply depot!”
Theodore answered eagerly. Galahad nodded.
“We can move it, then.”
“Of course.”
“Then clear everything from here to there.”
“Yes! Clear everything from here to there!”
The staff officers grew noisy. Adrianna, flustered by this, asked Galahad.
“Why are you clearing that area?”
“Ah, I’m going to build a Magic Tower.”
“So he’s building a Magic Tower...”
Adrianna murmured to herself, then realized something was off.
“...Did you just say you’re going to build a Magic Tower?!”
Adrianna’s voice rose, a rare occurrence. Galahad nodded.
“I’m thinking of building one.”
“...A Magic Tower?”
“I have the Grand Duke’s permission, so what’s the problem?”
Adrianna seriously considered Galahad’s confident question.
“...When did His Grace permit a Magic Tower?”
“He allowed the Magic Stone Mine project. A Magic Tower is just a branch of the Magic Stone Mine project.”
Galahad laughed heartily, looking full of confidence.
‘Can you really just decide to build a Magic Tower?’
Adrianna muttered to herself for a moment, then nodded. Galahad would not say such a thing without a plan.
“If I build a Magic Tower and put my name on it, mages will gather on their own. I’m such a famous genius, after all. Hmm, I should write a few magic books. Then I can hand out magic books for every Magic Stone they harvest...”
Galahad raised his head when he felt someone staring. Adrianna was looking at him with an odd expression.
“I know I’m handsome, but if you stare that hard, I’ll wear out.”
“Looking at you will not wear you out.”
“So you admit I’m handsome.”
Adrianna’s brows shot up. She shook her head slightly.
“You must really like magic.”
“What an obvious question. I’m a mage.”
Something about Galahad as he said that made him seem to shine. Adrianna took a step back.
“What will you name the Magic Tower?”
“The name? Hmm.”
Galahad rubbed his chin. The Magic Tower was for the Magic Stone Mine project, but it could become a strategic stronghold in the future.
“Noon.”
Galahad smiled as he said it.
“Why Noon?”
Adrianna asked seriously.
“Because it’s the brightest and warmest time of day.”
“Ah, I see.”
Adrianna nodded.
“How will you build the Magic Tower?”
“It’s the same as a spire. It only needs to look convincing from the outside.”
“I see. It won’t take long.”
“It won’t take long? It needs to be fairly tall.”
“Yes. Since Monster and Demonkin attacks are frequent, we’re good at building walls. You’ll be surprised.”
Galahad chuckled at Adrianna’s confident declaration.
Whatever else was true, northern soldiers were the best on the continent when it came to physical strength. The walls he had seen on the way here had been unimaginably tall. It was probably true that they could build quickly.
“We’ll begin immediately! You there! Tear it down!”
At that moment, the staff officers pointed at the area Galahad had designated and shouted.
The soldiers rushed in with a frightening intensity. One of them even raised aura.
Using aura to destroy a building.
‘They’re quite barbaric.’
The enormous building collapsed in an instant.
“The North is impressive in many ways.”
“Yes.”
Adrianna nodded emphatically. Galahad gave a small laugh.
‘A Magic Stone Mine.’
The Grand Duke’s castle was huge and desolate. It reeked of the battlefield. How could a land where snow fell all year round be prosperous?
Magic Stones were another matter. Their value was steadily increasing.
There were several theories about Magic Stones. The most popular was that they were formed from compressed Demonkin corpses.
Whether that theory was true or not, the North, which bordered the front lines against the Demonkin, had many Magic Stone Mines. The Magic Stones were also of good quality, likely because of their high mana concentration.
In other words, the North was...
‘An oil-producing country.’
An overwhelmingly rich oil-producing country, incomparable to anywhere else. There was no need to explain its value.
There was considerable resentment toward Magic Stones, but...
‘Their perception will improve eventually.’
There was no need to make an effort. Just as the commanders had secretly operated Magic Stone Mines, once people realized Magic Stones could make money, they would surely come to like them.
Even aside from that, many obstacles remained. Distribution would not be easy due to the Empire’s sanctions against the North, and plenty of pests would come swarming in.
If he overcame all that and safely established the Magic Stone Mine project...
‘The balance of power on the continent will change.’
The North’s combat power, honed on the front lines against the Demonkin, was undeniable. What the North lacked most was money.
If the Magic Stone Mine project solved its financial problems, the entire balance of power would change.
‘It might be better to declare a duchy outright.’
Galahad turned his head slightly. Adrianna was still expressionless, but she somehow looked proud.
The only heir to an oil-producing country, and the sword that would stab the Demon King.
“Roses would be best for the engagement ceremony flowers, right?”
“Pardon? Lilies would be better than roses... No, I clearly told you I have no intention of holding an engagement ceremony.”
“Lilies. I’ll remember that.”
“...No!”
Galahad chuckled at Adrianna’s wildly twitching brows.
Cigarette smoke drifted away in broken wisps.
Just as Adrianna came to her senses and tried to respond firmly...
“Ah, shall we go eat something sweet?”
Galahad held out his hand.
It had been a passing conversation when they escaped the Demon Realm. Adrianna was slightly surprised that he remembered.
“...There is nowhere here that sells sweet food.”
“There is one place. They don’t sell it, but they should have some.”
Adrianna tilted her head at Galahad’s answer.
This was a northern castle. It was where Adrianna had been born, yet Galahad spoke as though he knew it better.
Still, the word sweet kept poking at her.
‘This is information gathering...’
“Your brows went up.”
“...Pardon?”
“Never mind. Let’s go.”
* * *
Handsome stretched deeply inside the Intelligence Bureau safehouse. Agents stationed in safehouses did not have much to do.
They simply observed the situation and submitted reports when they noticed anything strange. It was work ordinary people could do.
It was somewhat meaningless work for an elite knight who had joined the Intelligence Bureau.
Being assigned to a safehouse meant, in short, that an agent’s career was over.
Recently, though, things had changed.
First, a high-ranking agent nicknamed the Magic Knight, had been sent to this safehouse.
There was an obvious reason such a powerful person had been sent to the North.
‘Headquarters is taking more interest in the North.’
It was probably because of Galahad. The situation in the North had changed after Galahad arrived.
The problem was...
‘Why am I the only one left?’
First had gathered information and disappeared immediately. In the end, Handsome was alone.
Still, this quiet was not so bad.
Then...
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Handsome stood, gripping the hilt of his sword.
The safehouse had been placed somewhere difficult to discover. It was not somewhere a passerby would visit.
Handsome leaned lightly against the door and adjusted his grip on the hilt. Once he was ready to attack the moment the door opened, he cautiously spoke.
“What brings you here!”
A perfect northern accent burst from Handsome’s mouth.
There was no answer.
‘...Is this a prank?’
Handsome frowned.
The door rattled. It was a magical door with five layers of security. It could not possibly open.
Then...
“Could you hold this for a moment?”
A strangely familiar voice called out. It was polite and relaxed. Galahad.
Handsome swallowed. Galahad had broken through the door last time, but the security had been strengthened since then.
It could not possibly open.
‘...How did he find the safehouse?’
“You should not open someone else’s door without permission.”
“It’s not someone else’s house.”
“Pardon? Ah, understood.”
A strangely calm woman’s voice answered.
Click. The handle turned at once. There was not even the slightest resistance, and no alarm sounded.
“It isn’t locked.”
“It was locked. You simply erased it.”
The door opened easily. Galahad, a tall and neat Imperial nobleman, stood before him.
Galahad’s gaze fell on Handsome’s hand resting on the sword hilt.
“Are you going to draw it? I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Handsome shook his head at Galahad’s question.
“...How did you find this place?”
“This was the only place with a sturdy door.”
“Pardon?”
“I have my ways. May we come in for a moment?”
It was a polite request, but...
‘Shouldn’t you ask before opening the door?’
At that moment, Handsome met the eyes of the woman behind Galahad. She gave a small bow.
Her beauty was difficult to believe even while looking at her. She was Adrianna, the North’s youngest Sword Master. Even as an Intelligence Bureau agent, Handsome was no match for a Sword Master.
More importantly, Galahad had done Handsome a favor. He moved aside slightly.
“Thank you. Come in.”
“Yes. This is unusual.”
The two entered, talking naturally. It looked like Galahad’s own home.
“It’s the capital’s style. Here, have a seat.”
Galahad pulled out a chair with practiced ease. Adrianna hesitated.
“You do not need to pull it out for me.”
“Understood.”
Galahad promptly sat in the chair. Adrianna paused for a moment, then cleared her throat. She went around and sat across from him.
“Handsome, do you have anything sweet?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Could you bring some out? I’d appreciate it.”
Handsome nodded without realizing it at the request, as though it were only natural.
Supplies did include things like chocolate and candy. He had simply piled them away because they did not suit his taste.
‘...Is this right?’
Handsome tilted his head as he put chocolates and candies on a plate.
If Galahad had submitted a report, Handsome would have been retired. Compared to that, this was nothing.
Still...
“Wow. This is really delicious.”
“Your eyes turn into rabbit eyes when you eat sweets.”
“...That has never happened.”
‘Why are they dating in here...?’
Handsome had just started to adjust to the northern cold.
Yet he suddenly felt strangely chilly.
* * *
“Heh heh. Galahad, I have arrived. This time will be different.”
“Don’t laugh so creepily. Everyone is staring.”
Pumpkin sighed quietly and presented the Special Operations Unit identification. The soldier nodded.
“I heard the commander of the Special Operations Unit is building some strange thing called a Magic Tower...”
“A Magic... Tower? A Magic Tower?”
First’s mouth fell open. His eyes spun wildly.
Fuck.
Pumpkin muttered a curse under her breath and hurried forward.
“We’re returning from a mission too, so we don’t know much.”
“Ah, I see.”
The soldier stepped aside. Pumpkin grabbed First by the arm and dragged him away. First’s eyes darted around.
“It’s probably a rumor. Even Galahad can’t just build a Magic Tower. The Empire would never allow it.”
Pumpkin spoke urgently.
“No matter how outstanding Galahad is... No, no matter how capable he may be of competing with you, First, a Magic Tower is a different matter, isn’t it? There’s no way he already received permission. It’s a rumor.”
“That’s true. Even Galahad can’t build a Magic Tower. But if that bastard builds a Magic Tower...!”
First’s eyes spun again. Pumpkin looked disgusted.
“I’ll build a Magic Sword Tower.”
First made the declaration seriously. His eyes had sunk into deep thought. He clearly meant it.
‘What kind of Magic Sword Tower...’
Pumpkin muttered another curse.
“You’ll be the deputy master of the Magic Sword Tower.”
“Yes, what an honor.”
Building a Magic Tower without permission was treason at minimum. Since it would never happen anyway, Pumpkin let his words pass.
Then a commotion broke out ahead. Pumpkin turned toward it and frowned.
The place where a huge building had stood had been completely cleared.
The problem was that people were stacking stones in a circle there. It was still only the base, but its shape was unmistakable.
‘That’s a Magic Tower.’
Fuck.
Pumpkin muttered a curse.
Pumpkin knew Galahad’s abilities well. Still, a Magic Tower was on another level. Having grand ambitions was not enough.
Pumpkin quickly checked First.
Fortunately, First was looking elsewhere.
Then First began to turn his head. Pumpkin swung her fist without thinking.
Thud.
Pumpkin’s fist landed squarely on First’s cheek. Pumpkin was a knight too. There was considerable force behind the punch, yet First, who had taken it full on, only tilted his head.
“Did you just kiss my cheek?”
“...The bet! We have a bet.”
“Ah! The bet!”
First’s attention immediately returned. Pumpkin let out a small sigh of relief.
They soon arrived at the Intelligence Bureau safehouse.
“Magical security may appear perfect at first glance, but there is an obvious weakness within it. For example, if you manipulate mana like this...”
First rambled on. It was obvious why. He must have heard that Galahad had opened the Intelligence Bureau safehouse door.
Pumpkin acknowledged First’s strength, but magical security doors were another matter. There was no way First could handle one.
Besides...
‘We were given a magical device key.’
Then...
Clunk.
The doorknob came off in First’s hand. First hesitated for a moment. He apparently had not expected it to open for real.
First soon laughed heartily.
“Now, that’s the power of theory.”
“Are you insane? Why did you break it?”
“I didn’t break it. I overcame it.”
“Do you know how much that costs? They’ll dock our pay again! You brute!”
“Ahem.”
First quietly put the doorknob back. It was already broken, though. The powerless knob rolled across the floor.
First glanced at Pumpkin and laughed boldly.
“This is cheap.”
“Seriously, just...”
First hurried inside as if fleeing. Pumpkin sighed softly and followed him.
First stopped in place. Pumpkin frowned at his sudden halt.
“What’s wrong?”
Pumpkin poked her head around First and looked inside.
Galahad sat inside with his long legs crossed. He looked as relaxed as though it were his own home.
Across from him sat a female knight in perfect posture. Her cheeks were slightly puffed out, as though she had been eating a great deal.
It was unmistakably a date.
‘Why are they dating in an Intelligence Bureau safehouse...?’
The female knight’s appearance was astonishing.
‘Wow. Is she even human?’
Pumpkin sincerely admired her perfect beauty. It was beautiful enough to inspire awe.
Then First sharply turned his head. He looked Pumpkin up and down with serious eyes, then turned back to the female knight. First let out a quiet hum and looked Pumpkin over again.
First’s face crumpled. It was clear defeat.
Normally, Pumpkin would have felt bad, but not against that female knight.
That woman was the definition of beauty.
Still, First’s lips moved.
It was a sign he was about to start some bullshit.
She had to stop him.
“Pumpkin.”
“Shut up.”
“Pumpkin, I think you’re more... Urgh!”
“Please shut up.”
First gasped for breath as if it had been an exhausting task.
After taking a deep breath, First pointed at Galahad.
“Galahad, this is not a contest! Every person has different charms!”
First shouted those fine words so forcefully that the veins stood out in his neck.
The problem was...
‘No one said anything like that. Please.’
Pumpkin, the person involved, did not want this.
The female knight looked over in surprise. Galahad and the other agent turned their attention toward them.
‘Stop...’
Pumpkin desperately prayed, but First’s mouth would not stop.
“Pumpkin too! Pumpkin has her own charms! For example...!”
Please...
“Pumpkin’s trapezius muscles are thicker than hers! Ha ha!”
Shut up...
Pumpkin covered her burning face with her hand.
Footnotes:
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